Last month national flag carrier Philippine Airlines announced it would be launching a new low cost carrier (LCC) brand called PAL Express.

PAL Express will be operating initially with nine turbo-prop aircraft comprised of the 50 seater Bombadier Q300 and 70 seater Q400. These will be a mix of brand new and second hand aircraft from SAS. As of this date PAL Express is operating out of its hub in Cebu to service destinations in Visayas and Mindanao. This May, it will fly out of Manila to service Caticlan.

The common misconception that propeller planes are old and jets are new is totally false. Tubro-props are also powered by jet turbines driving a propeller. These current model turbo props are also as electronically advanced as their jetliner cousins. So why propeller driven planes? For starters, propeller driven planes require a shorter runway for takeoff and landings, and we all know that airports in the Philippines, especially those in far flung areas are as developed.

Its good to see Philippine Airlines getting back on their feet. The PAL Express website is here.